Figures mask true pregnancy death rate
Julie Robotham; 8/9/08
The number of women who die as a consequence of pregnancy or childbirth may be nearly twice as high as shown in official figures, which capture only one-third of suicides in the year after giving birth, according to NSW analysis that reveals the true toll of post-natal depression. Suicide was the leading cause of death between six weeks and a year after giving birth or having a termination, followed by violence and heart attacks, according to an examination by researchers from the University of NSW of a seven-year period ending in 2001. Each of the 76 deaths during the period was classified as being probably linked - either directly or indirectly - to the recent pregnancy. “Many of these deaths were among vulnerable women post-pregnancy and are an important group of often preventable deaths,” said the leader of the study, Elizabeth Sullivan, from the University’s National Perinatal Statistics Unit.
Tags: Australia, Suicide, Womens Health